Notes from the Gas Station

IVRPD Newsletter

August 2025

Greetings! Welcome to our monthly newsletter from all of us here at Isla Vista Recreation & Park District. We’re excited to be sharing updates, news, staff spotlights, and meeting notices from the Park District.


What’s Inside

Regular Board Meeting August 14th

Meet the New IVRPD Staff!

IVRPD Summer Program Updates

Estero Garden Plot Stewardship Day Recap

World Ranger Day

Pardall Gardens Sneak Peek


Regular Board Meeting Announcement

August 14th


Dear Isla Vista,


IVRPD is hosting a Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the St. George Youth Center, 889 Camino Del Sur, Isla Vista.



Zoom Meeting Information

Meeting ID: 847 1207 8883

Passcode: 859271

 +1 669 900 9128


For questions, email ivrpd@ivparks.org or dial (805) 968-2017. Thank you.


Meet the New IVRPD Staff!

Leila Dagan – Stewardship Coordinator: Leila is responsible for organizing Stewardship Saturday events, which are weekly volunteer activities that help educate and involve the community in environmental efforts around the parks. She's a 4th year at UCSB Majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Earth Science. She's most excited to learn all about the different types of plants located around Isla Vista's parks.


Taytum Cameron – Administrative Assistant: Taytum is IVRPD’s new Administrative Assistant, helping with day-to-day operations and supporting park programs and events. She’s a 4th year at UCSB studying Sociology and Dance, and is excited to immerse herself in the Isla Vista community while learning and growing in this new role.


Leah Simmons – Administrative Assistant: Leah is a 4th year at UCSB majoring in Sociology with a minor in Feminist Studies. She’s excited to be part of the IVRPD community and looks forward to contributing to its fun and supportive environment. Fun fact: Leah runs her own baking business! @leylanyssweettreats


Paulino Fuentes – Grounds Worker: Paulino is one of IVRPD’s new Grounds Workers, responsible for keeping our parks clean, safe, and welcoming for the community. As a local Isla Vista resident, he takes pride in maintaining the spaces he lives around and is excited to explore everything IVRPD has to offer.


Dylan Tilton – Recreation Leader: Dylan is one of IVRPD’s new Recreation Leaders, dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for kids at our Summer Program. She’s a 3rd year Applied Psychology and Counseling major at Chico State, and is passionate about helping set up the youth of Isla Vista for success and for whatever comes next for them.


Erin Longerbone – Recreation Leader: Erin is a Recreation Leader at IVRPD and is excited to start working with the After School Program for the first time. She’s a 4th year Sociology major at UCSB and hopes to add a Professional Writing minor with a focus on Civic Engagement. In her free time, Erin enjoys being outdoors, listening to music, and playing card games with friends.


Anna Kelly – Recreation Leader: Anna recently graduated from UCSB with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Applied Psychology. She loves working for IVRPD because it allows her to spend her days building meaningful connections and having fun with the kids. Whether it’s learning new crafts, going on exciting field trips, or simply sharing laughs, Anna loves spending time with the kids.

IVRPD Summer Program Recap

This summer, the IVRPD Summer Program brought sunshine, smiles, and nonstop fun to Isla Vista kids! Each week featured a new theme, keeping campers excited and engaged with a variety of activities. From field trips to the beach, the movie theatre, and the children's museum, every outing was an adventure. Campers also got creative with hands-on art projects like painting their own bucket hats, which became a favorite keepsake.

Back at camp, the fun continued with endless games of dodgeball and water games on designated water days. With laughter echoing through the parks all summer long, it was a season full of friendships, creativity, and unforgettable memories.

Isla Vista Recreation & Parks District will be hosting their After School Program starting Wednesday, August 20th. The program will be from Monday to Friday, 3pm to 6pm, and 2pm to 6pm on Thursdays for early dismissal. The After School Program will be free for all students in 1st to 6th grade.


Our program will be focusing on providing homework assistance, recreational activities, and art, music, and sport lessons for youth. There will be limited spots due to staffing, so if you are interested, please sign-up by clicking the button below. If you need paper sign-ups, please contact the email or phone number below.


If you have any questions feel free to contact our program coordination by email at oramirez@ivparks.org or phone number at (805)793-8985.

Estero Garden Plot Stewardship Day Recap

In partnership with the UCSB Edible Campus Program, IVRPD recently hosted a successful Estero Garden Plot Stewardship Day led by our new Stewardship Coordinator, Leila Dagan. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves, helping to harvest a colorful variety of vegetables, including squash, cucumbers, and even pumpkins! The team also tackled some much-needed weeding in the Lath House, helping to keep the space healthy and thriving.


It was a productive and rewarding day, bringing together community members with a shared passion for sustainability and local food. We are so grateful to all who came out to support the garden and welcome Leila into her new role. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved in future Stewardship Events!


World Ranger Day

On July 31st, Park Ranger Juan Florez represented IVRPD at the 2025 World Ranger Day event, joining a global community in honoring the dedication and sacrifices of rangers around the world. This year’s theme, Rangers: Powering Transformative Conservation, spotlighted the critical role rangers play in protecting our natural and cultural heritage. As pictured above, the oldest ranger at the event honored Juan, the newest ranger, by presenting him with the first slice of cake, which is a cherished tradition of the celebration. We are so proud to have Juan as part of our team!

Pardall Gardens Sneak Peek

Exciting changes are underway at Pardall Gardens! Located in the heart of downtown Isla Vista, this once underutilized green space is being transformed into a welcoming and vibrant community hub. Thanks to valuable input from the Isla Vista community and a thoughtful design partnership with Pacific Coast Land Design, the renovation embraces the “Peaceful Pardall” theme, featuring shaded seating areas, native plant landscaping, and a central "paver plaza" for gathering.


This project, largely supported by RIRE and Per Capita grants, as well as voter approved Measure O funds and reflects a strong community vision and commitment to revitalizing public spaces. Take a look at the progress so far and stay tuned for more updates as we bring this new park to life!

Park Rental Inquiries Changes

Isla Vista Recreation & Parks District is changing its park rental inquiry protocols. From now on please request and mail all park rental inquiries to ivrpd@ivparks.org. Thank you for your understanding!

Facebook  Instagram  Email  Web